My job as Grandaddy Derek is to love David and Beks with the cumulative love of all these decades, to nurture them spiritually in ways I’m only now beginning to grow into, and to share with them the stories I couldn’t possibly have known thirty years ago because I had yet to live them.

The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. – Isaiah 11:6 Rebekah and I are enjoying a serendipitous couple of days with our daughter Naomi, her husband … Continue Reading love wins; bigotry destroys us

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. – Psalm 73:25-26 What a great scripture to start the day! Thanks, Bible Gateway. It’s been … Continue Reading life = curiosity, and grace, and joy

A miserable heart means a miserable life; but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. – Proverbs 15:15 JOY! Late Thursday morning I drove up to South Hill in Virginia for our favored “grandchild exchange” venue. Cracker Barrel is a good place for lunch, and it’s a great place … Continue Reading “He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast!”

So how exactly does one get to be a “gift hero?” Well, first, it helps to have the most awesome grandchildren in the world. Second, it’s a huge advantage that we listen, and take advice concerning exactly what David and Beks might want. Third, there’s the instinct that comes from spending time … Continue Reading grandchildren, love, and being a “gift-hero”